Tuesday 6 December 2016 13:48, UK
Keaton Jennings is already feeling at ease with his new England team-mates ahead of the fourth Test against India in Mumbai.
South Africa-born Jennings has made a life for himself with Durham, and is set to become England captain Alastair Cook's latest opening partner when the fourth Test gets underway on Thursday morning, live on Sky Sports 2.
The 24-year-old is grateful too for a little piece of the north east in Mumbai to help him - because Durham and England all-rounder Ben Stokes has proved the ideal person to help break the ice with his new team-mates before his anticipated international debut.
Jennings had his first net session at the Wankhede Stadium, where England will try to battle back from 2-0 down with two to play this week, and spoke immediately afterwards about getting to know his prospective international colleagues at short notice.
He was able to meet the majority of them not in India but Dubai over the past few days, after Cook and his charges were prescribed a short mid-series break between Tests.
"In the last 12 hours, turning up with the guys from Dubai has been a little bit surreal," he said.
"I suppose meeting the guys for the first time as well calms your nerves a little bit."
Stokes, one of the few who stayed in Mumbai rather than fly to the Middle East, has helped the process.
"Stokesy's been brilliant with breaking the ice," added Jennings.
"He was on my team in football this morning, and he got stuck into me as well."
Jennings, a former South Africa U19 captain and son of his native country's ex-national coach Ray, moved to Durham five years ago. His mum was born nearby, in Sunderland, and he completed his four-year permanent residency qualification period in March.
He added: "At the moment, I'm feeling very comfortable and very English, despite my accent.
"The more time you spend in a country, the more you feel welcome.
"Especially in the North East, the people are very welcoming - and that made me feel part of the furniture essentially.
"I'm blessed that they've welcomed me with open arms."
Jennings batted alongside Cook at the start of his first England practice session, and also had a bowl.
The vibes about Stuart Broad's recovery from the strained tendon in his right foot were inconclusive, meanwhile.
The seamer underwent a series of fitness drills and then bowled three to four overs, increasingly at full pace without any apparent ill-effects. A longer spell would have been more convincing, however.
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Live coverage of England's tour of India - including the ODI and T20 series - continues with the fourth Test from 3.30am on Thursday on Sky Sports 2.
